Floyd Mayweather beats Canelo Alvarez for 45th win

(CNN) -- In one of the most hyped boxing matchups in recent history, Floyd Mayweather outclassed Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in a majority decision Saturday night.

Throughout the 12 rounds, Mayweather, 36, remained in control of his 23-year-old rival.

The win brings Mayweather's record to 45-0. And it carried the biggest purse in boxing history -- $41.5 million for Mayweather, already one of the world's highest-paid athletes.

The man regularly described as the best pound-for-pound fighter will earn even more cash by claiming a share of pay-per-view takings.

"This fight is truly unbelievable," Mayweather, who briefly unseated Tiger Woods as Forbes' best-paid athlete in 2012, told CNN, ahead of the bout. "Man, this is all excitement. Canelo is young, strong, dedicated to his craft. I'm a legend in the sport.

"Canelo wants that No. 1 spot. Myself, I want to remain at the top. So it'll be an explosion."

Unblemished record

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Alvarez, promoted by one of Mayweather's past arch-rivals, Oscar De La Hoya, was the latest challenger to attempt to end the 36-year-old's unblemished record.

Mayweather defeated Robert Guerrero in May. It was Mayweather's first fight after spending two months in jail in connection with an incident of domestic violence.

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De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Arturo Gatti and Miguel Cotto are among those who have been unable to down the technically proficient American, while a Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao blockbuster has yet to materialize.

Coming in undefeated

But Alvarez came in undefeated, too, compiling a record of 42 victories and a draw.

The 23-year-old had registered more knockouts than Mayweather, 30 to 26, although the Mexican's foes were generally considered inferior.

"Canelo is a good boxer," Mayweather said. "He's strong, he's a good puncher. He's done things right to be undefeated at such a young age.

"But I think it's going to be very, very difficult for him come Saturday."

Place in history

The win wasn't that much of a surprise. He was a 1-to-3 favorite with British bookmaker William Hill.

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When asked what his place in boxing history was, the five-division world champion wasn't about to turn humble.

"Right now they call me 'TBE.' That's 'the best ever,'" he said. "The only thing I have to keep on doing is beating these young lions, keep beating the fighters they put in front of me and hopefully I'll go down as the best."